HUNDREDS of drivers are risking their own and other road users’ lives by failing to maintain their car’s tyres properly.

Research carried out by Green Flag Motoring Assistance in association with road safety charity Brake has revealed one in twenty drivers fail to check their vehicle’s tyre pressure or tread depth. Some 20 per cent said they relied on others to do the job for them, while a third confirmed they only checked them at three-monthly intervals. Just a fifth of motorists surveyed checked their tyres on a weekly basis as recommended by the Highway Code.

Green Flag spokesman Melanie Denny said: “These results are worrying, as they suggest many drivers don’t realise how dangerous worn out or damaged tyres can be. Tyres are the only contact the vehicle has with the road, and poorly maintained ones can lead to fatal crashes as well as breakdowns and fines.”

The results of the research form part of Green Flag’s Are you ready to Drive? Report, which examines drivers’ attitudes to issues such as maintenance, crash protection and driving tuition.

Green Flag offers the following maintenance tips to motorists:

Check the tyre pressure weekly when the tyres are cold. Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you the right pressure. If in doubt, consult a garage or tyre specialist. Remember to check the pressure of the spare wheel too.

Before setting off on a long journey, check tyres for cuts, bulges, bald patches or cracks.

Check the tyre tread once a month using the tread wear indicator bars, which are small ridges set into the main grooves. These indicate the legal minimum tread. Change your tyres before they reach this point. If you cannot find the bars, look for the letters TWI on your tyre wall, or ask a garage.

If you are a high mileage driver, check your tyre tread more often.

For more information on Green Flag’s services visit www.greenflag.com or call 0845 246 1557.